Kim Zolciak says the death of AJ, Kandi Burruss’s former fiance, brought the ladies closer together…Oh really?

Check out this exclusive interview Kim had with Essence.com where she talks about AJ, the ladies of RHOA and Big Papa!

ESSENCE.COM: How is Kandi doing? Have you spoken to her?
KIM ZOLCIAK: I spoke with her mom and texted her just to let her know I’m here. I was one of the first to find out and I called the other ladies. Everybody has been fantastic but it’s unfortunate that it takes a tragedy to bring us all together. We were able to put all our stuff on the back burner and come together for Kandi. It’s not something that I ever thought would happen, no matter how tragic the situation.

ESSENCE.COM: What was your interaction with A.J like?
ZOLCIAK: He actually called me last week and I never called him back, which sucks. I adored him. He was such a great guy. He was actually with Big Papa the night I got engaged. I hated that people have this bad impression of him because he had so many children. He was a great father and he was great with Riley [Kandi's 7-year-old daughter] and he loved Kandi.

ESSENCE.COM: How do you think this will change the show?
ZOLCIAK: At the end of the day, it makes you realize how precious life is. Sheree pulling my hair is so trivial and doesn’t even matter at this point. The dynamics have changed us as a family, because that’s really what we are even though we’ve fought—it has put things into perspective for all of us. I adore Kandi and I know how much she appreciates all the positive reinforcement. We’ll get her through this.

ESSENCE.COM: There’s been some buzz about why you didn’t show up to Kandi’sperformance. What happened?
ZOLCIAK: My daughter Brielle was sick and that’s when swine flu was going rampant. I don’t have a nanny at night. I told Kandi I wasn’t able to come. I’m not that kind of friend to just not show up. Kandi has been an incredible friend to me, and the way it came across was that I didn’t make any effort and that’s just not true.

ESSENCE.COM: How’s “Tardy for the Party” doing? It sounds like a breakout hit.
ZOLCIAK: I’m so excited. We’re in the top 100 on iTunes and No. 3 on the dance charts. The single is doing fantastic. The experience was worth a million dollars because Kandi got me through my biggest fear. She can turn dirt into diamonds. She definitely went out on a limb to work with me. I always said I wanted to be a one-hit wonder but I am working on another single. Source

 

In related news, Global Grind posted the following story relative to one of AJ’s baby momma (pic’d below) who surfaced. Check it out here:

AJ’s funeral details were released by his ex-wife Danah Lewis (pictured above) via Twitter. Danah who has one child by AJ wanted to also thank everyone for their support during this rough time for their family, she tweeted:

“Thank u for all the calls emails and prayers! To my ex-husband bestfriend and father to our perfect Jaden, AJ we need you and love u 4ever!”

When Danah posted the details of the funeral folks over at theYBF gossip site”allegedly” had some sort of problem with her posting the information. Pop the hood & find out what she had to say as well as information on the postponed taping of The Real Housewives of ATL reunion show.

Here’s what she tweeted:

“Some ppl can be so hateful and negative, just saw that my tweets about AJ’s funeral arrangements are all over YBF’s website and apparently some ppl have a problem with me posting them publicly?…WHO CARES! That was for my friends who know me and AJ very well!

We were together for 6 years and I was his only wife and mother to his youngest child don’t get it twisted! We should be focused on his children and their well-being. We had a great relationship and I am so thankful that we got to see him the day before he died!

Please focus your energy on his children and his family! Thank you

Thanks to YBF now everybody REALLY knows! IM DONE!!!”

Danah tweeted the following details on AJ’s funeral:

The wake for AJ is this Thursday from 6-9pm @ Donald Trimble Funeral Home located @ 1876 Second Ave. in Decatur Homegoing for Ashley “AJ” Jewell will be Friday Oct 9 @12pm @ Ray of Hope off Snapfinger Rd. in Decatur…the old New Birth

Below are photos of AJ and his son Jaden. Our condolences goes out to their entire family. RIP!